Russia are ringing the changes ahead of Sunday's game with Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.

Russia have made several changes to the side that lost to Italy as they face Ireland in their third game of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. Aleksandr Yanyushkin will captain the side with a completely new front row.

Denis Simplikevich will play his first game for Russia, while for another young player, Vasily Artimiev, it will be a special moment, as he will oppose the country in which he grew up.

“I was always looking up to the Irish national team. There are many good players there. I was really looking up to them when I was just playing my rugby there in school,” he told RT. “It’s gonna be very interesting and I hope to see some of the guys I know, but haven’t seen for a couple of years.”